When the most highly-anticipated and talked about series since Downton Abbey comes to a close tonight at 9p ET / 8p CT as part of PBS’ Masterpiece series, Poldark fans both new and old, while they might be a bit sad, will cherish the knowledge that series two will soon begin filming with a targeted 2016 broadcast date on both BBC […]

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When the most highly-anticipated and talked about series since Downton Abbey comes to a close tonight at 9p ET / 8p CT as part of PBS’ Masterpiece series, Poldark fans both new and old, while they might be a bit sad, will cherish the knowledge that series two will soon begin filming with a targeted 2016 broadcast date on both BBC and PBS.

If you’ve been with the series from the beginning, you know of the numerous times in each episode you catch a glimpse of Captain Ross Poldark riding from either screen left to screen right or vice versa across some pretty breathtaking Cornish countryside.

For an actor, it’s one thing to learn your lines and become the character you play. But when you are tagged to play Captain Ross Poldark and given the only form of transport at the time was of the four-legged variety, there’s a certain added element that Aidan Turner had to master to convincingly ‘become’ Ross Poldark.

Recognizing from the start that, given Ross’s background, the Captain was quite adept on a horse, Turner immediately began not only to learn horsemanship but set out to get to know his equine, Irish co-star, Seamus. Fortunately, Turner wasn’t a stranger to horses, having ridden in New Zealand, most likely during his time there filming The Hobbit. Unfortunately, however, for Turner, word is that Seamus has since retired after the filming of series one so he’s going to have to get to know a whole new co-star for his series 2 rides through Cornwall.

A sigh of relief was heard throughout the land yesterday as ITV announced that the members of the Major Incident Team (MIT) of the Manchester Metropolitan Police will do their best to make the streets of Manchester safe, once again. Suranne Jones, who conceived of the original idea for Scott & Bailey with fellow actress Sally […]

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A sigh of relief was heard throughout the land yesterday as ITV announced that the members of the Major Incident Team (MIT) of the Manchester Metropolitan Police will do their best to make the streets of Manchester safe, once again. Suranne Jones, who conceived of the original idea for Scott & Bailey with fellow actress Sally Lindsey, will return as DS Rachel Bailey along with Lesley Sharp as Janet Scott and Lindsey as Rachel’s sister, Alison.

Series 5, which will begin filming in and around Oldham, Manchester in September, will be comprised of one, three-part special series featuring a single crime story. According to producers, the three-part format will allow the story to unfold with scale and ambition as the crime fighting duo of Scott & Bailey tackle one of the biggest and darkest cases they have ever had to face.

“We’re delighted to be returning to Scott & Bailey with an investigation that will have everlasting consequences for the characters,” said co-executive producer, Nicola Shindler. “This series is more ambitious and sinister than ever before and the concept of a three part story allows us the opportunity to tackle a story of epic scale and ambition,” she added.

For series 5, with DCI Gill Murray (Amelia Bullmore) retired, the Syndicate 9 Murder Unit is confronted with a terrifying and sinister Internet crime investigation of epic proportions. Using her Vice authorization, Rachel accesses a disturbing world where people brag about committing murder and lay down the gauntlet for the next victim. A game of ruthless life or death daring develops, as Scott & Bailey investigate multiple killers with horrifying and everlasting consequences. They will be changed forever and the investigation will take a devastating toll on their private, professional and personal lives.

I’ve always felt that Scott & Bailey was one of the most realistic and gripping police procedurals to come out of the UK. All you need to do is watch the series 3 final episode with the brilliant Nicola Walker holding DCI Murray at knifepoint for a pretty harrowing final car ride to understand just how gripping good telly can be. Written by Sally Wainwright (Last Tango in Halifax, Happy Valley), Scott & Bailey will return to ITV for a 5th series in 2016 with a public television broadcast in America not long after.

There are far more reasons than the law allows for the fact that I continue to believe that British telly is by far superior to its distant cousin from America. Let us, for a moment, forget about the perennial examples of Spooks vs. 24, Fawlty Towers vs. ‘insert any American comedy series here‘ or Doctor Who vs. ‘every science fiction […]

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There are far more reasons than the law allows for the fact that I continue to believe that British telly is by far superior to its distant cousin from America. Let us, for a moment, forget about the perennial examples of Spooks vs. 24, Fawlty Towers vs. ‘insert any American comedy series here‘ or Doctor Who vs. ‘every science fiction series except Star Trek. How about a series of bedtime stories for adults and, here’s the kicker, it’s incredibly brilliant telly.

Crackanory is a storytelling television series aimed at adults, inspired by the popular children’s series Jackanory, where contemporary comedians and actors read stories about life in the 21st century all from the same oversized chair. While series one attracted some of the cream of British comedy talent and a wide variety of independent writers, series two of Crackanory featured stories told by Rik Mayall (in one of his final TV appearances), Vic Reeves, David Mitchell, Katherine Parkinson, Meera Syall, Warwick Davies, Ben Miller, Sue Perkins, Johnny Vegas and Ruby Wax.

But it was this past weeks announcement that Christopher Lloyd will guest read a story for the third series of Crackanory this Fall on Dave that got me thinking again as to just why British telly continues to amaze. Lloyd is set to bring his trademark Taxi/Back to the Future frenetic delivery to the bizarre noirish story of a police officer who loses his partner in the line of duty but begins to suspect the dead cop has possessed his car’s Sat Nav system.

The varied stories that each individual writer brings to the table are as much of a co-star in the series as the top talent that Crackanory attracts. I’m guessing this is one series that will never be targeted for an American re-make. I honestly can’t see the ‘cream of American comedy talent’ participating and doubt, seriously, that an American commercial broadcast or cable network would give up valuable airtime that could otherwise be used for the likes of the next Geraldo Rivera live special. Here’s what I’m talking about….

It’s almost time to put on your bow tie, pick up your sonic screwdriver, put a sprig of celery in your lapel, take K-9 out, grab some jelly babies and board your own personal TARDIS. Doctor Who 9 is nigh upon us. For those that just can’t wait until the series 9 premiere on 19 September, BBC Worldwide North America […]

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It’s almost time to put on your bow tie, pick up your sonic screwdriver, put a sprig of celery in your lapel, take K-9 out, grab some jelly babies and board your own personal TARDIS. Doctor Who 9 is nigh upon us. For those that just can’t wait until the series 9 premiere on 19 September, BBC Worldwide North America and Fathom Events are here to help put an end to your own personal case of Doctor Who separation anxiety.

Yesterday’s announcement of the return of Doctor Who to the big screen several days in advance of the premiere for a two-night special theatrical event, Doctor Who: Dark Water/Death in Heaven in 3D has the Internets on high alert. No doubt you’ll remember that in Doctor Who: Dark Water/Death in Heaven, the show’s two-part eighth season finale, the Doctor has come face-to-face with the mysterious Missy, there are Cybermen on the streets of London and old friends unite against old enemies. The two episodes will be presented in RealD™ 3D and Dolby Atmos sound (where available) on September 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. (local time).

As if that wouldn’t be enough to set your Doctor Who pants on fire, the event will also feature The Doctor’s Meditation, a special prequel scene to the first episode of Season 9, and an exclusive interview with Doctor Who stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman, hosted by none other than noted Dr. Sheldon Cooper nemesis, Wil Wheaton.

Tickets for Doctor Who: Dark Water/Death in Heaven in 3D can be purchased online starting this Friday, 31 July by visiting www.FathomEvents.com, or any of the participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in approximately 700 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. A complete list of theater locations will be coming soon on the Fathom Events site as, as you can imagine, additional theater locations are being added daily.

As the sun begins to set on the final series of our beloved Downton Abbey, cast and crew have begun to bid a final fond farewell to all the locations and the characters that have meant so much to them over the past six years, not to mention the personal farewell’s to their fellow actors. With the […]

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As the sun begins to set on the final series of our beloved Downton Abbey, cast and crew have begun to bid a final fond farewell to all the locations and the characters that have meant so much to them over the past six years, not to mention the personal farewell’s to their fellow actors.

With the final episode set to air on Christmas Day in the UK and on March 7, 2016 as part of PBS’ Masterpiece series, filming is in its final days with only a few locations yet to go in and around Bampton, the Oxfordshire village which has doubled for Downton village since the series premiere back in 2011. Having ‘invaded’ Bampton for the past 6 years, the cast and crew threw a party there this past weekend to thank the villagers for their efforts and support during filming. One can only imagine having something the likes of Downton Abbey take over your village for half a year at a stretch.

While cast and crew have been extra careful on social media so as to not violate the unwritten Julian Fellowes code of conduct when it comes to leaking out anything the resembles a storyline for the sixth and final series, Elizabeth McGovern was able to tweet a photo out showing Downton happily in her rearview mirror as filming came to a close at the Highclere Castle location.

The best, however, had to come from Kevin Doyle, a.k.a. Mr. Molesley, fresh off a brilliant effort in Crimson Field, as he posted the following pic with the caption that read, “Last day of filming at Highclere-perhaps raiding the wine cellar wasn’t the wisest choice.” Well done, Mr. Doyle.

Unfortunately, in an odd parallel universe, this is how I imagine most of the Downton Abbey-Nation will also feel following the last ever episode….

Could one of the biggest shows on UK television during its prime that isn’t named Upstairs Downstairs find its’ way to American television in the not-too-distant future? The next brilliant British series with a target on its back for a possible re-boot, All Creatures Great and Small is based on the books of the British veterinary surgeon, Alf Wight, who […]

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Could one of the biggest shows on UK television during its prime that isn’t named Upstairs Downstairs find its’ way to American television in the not-too-distant future? The next brilliant British series with a target on its back for a possible re-boot, All Creatures Great and Small is based on the books of the British veterinary surgeon, Alf Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym James Herriot. Surprisingly, it’s HBO, the cable network known more for The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and True Detective that is looking at a possible revival.

Set in the fictional Yorkshire village of Darrowby, the series starred Christopher Timothy as Herriot and Lynda Bellingham as Herriot’s wife Helen and future ‘Doctor’, Peter Davison, as Tristan. The role of Helen was originally played by Timothy’s real-life partner Carol Drinkwater for the first three series with Bellingham taking over for series 4-7.

The first three series followed Herriot’s books very closely beginning with his arrival in Darrowby in 1937 and ending at the stage where the characters were drawn into the Second World War. After roughly an 8-year hiatus, the series was revived for another four seasons taking place from 1949 through the early 50’s and focused more on the character interaction as all of Herriot’s story lines had been exhausted earlier.

I’m really having a hard time picturing this one. Fortunately, the Guardian summed a possible ‘pitch’ scenario up pretty well. Think, Downton Abbey with pigs or Poldark with shorter hair. Stranger things have happened and most of them revolve around American re-makes of brilliant British fare.

These days, series such as Downton Abbey, Mr. Selfridge, Call the Midwife and, most recently, Poldark, seem to be grabbing all the headlines. Rightfully so, but there is, however, a little known series that has quietly captured audiences on both sides of the pond bringing them back week after week, each time wearing their hearts more and […]

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These days, series such as Downton Abbey, Mr. Selfridge, Call the Midwife and, most recently, Poldark, seem to be grabbing all the headlines. Rightfully so, but there is, however, a little known series that has quietly captured audiences on both sides of the pond bringing them back week after week, each time wearing their hearts more and more on their sleeves.

That said, better you hear the news from me than read it standing on line at the supermarket checkout reading the tabloids. Be strong. Crimson Field aired its final episode last night on PBS.

***SPOILER ALERT BELOW. DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN SUNDAY’S FINALE***

They took no prisoners. The brilliant World War I drama pretty much threw everything but the kitchen sink at viewers as the series came to a close which will, sadly, leave viewers hanging who appreciate good quality drama and have been with the series since the beginning. There were tears, there was joy, love and, even death. For those following along from the beginning, Sister Joan (Suranne Jones) is accused of aiding the enemy, a charge that could see her shot; Col. Brett’s (Downton Abbey‘s Kevin Doyle) running of the camp is questioned; Kitty’s unsure who to trust; Flora reunites two brothers; and Rosalie ponders her discovery of Kitty’s divorce. That’s just one episode.

Sadly, as has been the case more often than not, Crimson Field is a one and done drama series from the BBC. Having averaged a respectable 7 million viewers for each episode, Crimson Field was not commissioned for a second series by the BBC. Reminiscent of the fate of other quality BBC dramas such as The Hour, Paradise and Upstairs Downstairs, Crimson Field has abruptly ended with writer/creator Sarah Phelps wondering what more could she have possible done for the series to have lived another day. Supposedly, it was Phelps’ plan to make three more series for each year of the conflict, ending in 2018, a century after the end of the Armistice.

Unfortunately, as with a number of critically acclaimed series that end before their ‘sell-by date’, no explanation was given for the cancellation. While series like Ripper Street have been brought back from the dead following fairly extensive viewer feedback, it’s not commonplace. It didn’t work for Alan Davies brilliantly funny series, Whites, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. There is always hope. If you feel that Crimson Field deserves another series, sign the petition to bring back Crimson Field. Sign it, share it with friends. It couldn’t hurt…

There’s a bit trouble right here in River City over the forthcoming charter renewal of the BBC. The Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC. It sets out the public purposes of the BBC, guarantees its independence, and outlines the duties of the Trust and the Executive Board. The current Charter runs until 31 […]

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There’s a bit trouble right here in River City over the forthcoming charter renewal of the BBC. The Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC. It sets out the public purposes of the BBC, guarantees its independence, and outlines the duties of the Trust and the Executive Board. The current Charter runs until 31 December 2016. The renewal of the Charter and Agreement provides a rare opportunity for Government, Parliament and the public to influence how the BBC is financed and operated. Parliament’s only formal involvement with the BBC’s affairs is through the regulations needed to implement the license fee settlement. That, my friends, is where the trouble begins…

A recent study or ‘deprivation experiment’ saw the BBC commission two separate studies in which families were deprived of all BBC services. Sounds pretty easy, right? We’ll think about it. No television, which means no watching BBC News, Doctor Who, Top Gear, Poldark, Great British Bake Off or Sherlock. Still, easy enough for two weeks, you’re saying, just watch on demand or listen to Desert Island Discs or a really good radio drama on BBC4. Not so fast. The test also means there would be no iPlayer, no BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 Live and no BBC online either. You would not be allowed DVDs of BBC shows, and absolutely no local radio.

License Fee 101

The concept of a ‘license fee’ is based on the premise that everyone with a television set who watches and/or records live television transmissions whether it be terrestrial, satellite, cable, or internet, must pay a predetermined fee to receive BBC programming. The Government, who sets the level of the license fee, decided to freeze the license fee at its 2010 level of £145.50 (approximately $225 per household) if you own a color TV set until 31st March 2017. The annual license fee for a black and white set (who knew these still existed!) was frozen at £49 ($75) annually. The income from the license is primarily used to fund the television, radio and online services of the BBC. The total income from license fees was £3.735 billion in 2014.

The initial findings found that the majority of those who participated in the study came away with a greater appreciation of the BBC, having realized that their use of BBC services was much greater than had thought. “Some families weren’t aware of how much they used the BBC, even those who were skeptical,” said a senior BBC source. “The results are extraordinary and will provide a massive fillip for the BBC in its negotiations with the Government.” A more extensive study using a larger number of families took place in spring and produced “very similar” results, according to the source. It seems that “the vast majority” of families also finished the second study with a greater appreciation of the BBC than when they began.

According to RadioTimes.com, the results of both studies will be published later this summer and will include videos of the families talking about their experiences. It is believed that these will be released online and used by the BBC in its campaign to secure a generous charter from the Government. Described by many as the UK’s “cultural NHS”, the BBC finds itself in a fight for its’ life as upcoming charter discussions continue over the next 18 months. On the government side, there is a proposal to require the BBC to foot the license fee bill for everyone 75 years of age and older. At a cost of close to £650 million, this would severely curtail if not cripple the overall content output for decades, if not longer. While a number of individuals both in front of and behind the camera have come out in support of the Beeb, no one said it more brilliantly than the great Graham Norton describing the ‘deprivation test’ as only he can. “I think they should switch off the BBC for two months,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “Just put £24 into everyone’s bank account, and switch the BBC off for two months, and people would s*** themselves.”

One has to think that the findings will be extremely important during the next phase of determining the future of the BBC charter and license fee. There is a fascinating ‘fight’ materializing before our eyes about the future of the BBC which is eerily reminiscent of the numerous ongoing discussions here in America over the importance and overall value of PBS and NPR. I have to believe that anyone who is regular viewer of PBS or listener of NPR subjected themselves to a significant amount of time away from both services, they would also find out they have a greater appreciation for the content, whether it be the quality educational children’s programming, the drama, news and public affairs, science and nature, comedies, lifestyle programming, independent films or the locally produced programming and realize they watch and consume more local PBS station content than they thought.

The next 18 months will be interesting to say the least…

]]>http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2015/07/26/no-bbc-or-pbs-for-two-weeks-could-you-do-it/feed/0Sigourney Weaver takes on an ‘alien’ role in Portwenn for new series of ‘Doc Martin’http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2015/07/25/sigourney-weaver-takes-on-an-alien-role-in-portwenn-for-new-series-of-doc-martin/
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Ellen Ripley, the heroic warrant officer who spent more time than the law allows aboard the doomed Nostromo spacecraft and the ship’s shuttle battling an extraterrestrial endoparasitoid species with multiple life cycles, better known as the Xenomorph X121, in Alien and Aliens, is headed to much calmer waters this time around for the new series […]

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Ellen Ripley, the heroic warrant officer who spent more time than the law allows aboard the doomed Nostromo spacecraft and the ship’s shuttle battling an extraterrestrial endoparasitoid species with multiple life cycles, better known as the Xenomorph X121, in Alien and Aliens, is headed to much calmer waters this time around for the new series of Doc Martin. Ok, actually, it’s Sigourney Weaver who has been spotted in ‘Portwenn’ where she has been filming an undisclosed guest role as part of the forthcoming series 7 which is not to far away, by the way, from actual transmission in both the UK and America. At this point, speculation is that it will transmit this Autumn on ITV and early 2016 on public television stations in America.

As you can see from the video which was shot by an amateur photographer who is, without question, a big fan of the series who found herself in Port Isaac during filming, and posted on YouTube by the Cornwall Holiday Guide, shows Weaver sporting a very fashionable but extremely functional floppy fisherman’s hat and a camera and backpack looking very much like an American tourist exploring the English countryside. At this point, ITV has not disclosed the details of Weaver’s character but she does appear to be filming a scene outside the local pharmacy with Martin Clunes, who stars as Dr. Martin Ellingham, the curmudgeonly vascular surgeon turned Portwenn GP who has a general disdain for anyone that crosses his path in life.

Doc Martin 7 will air this Autumn on ITV and in early 2016 on public television in the U.S.

]]>http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2015/07/25/sigourney-weaver-takes-on-an-alien-role-in-portwenn-for-new-series-of-doc-martin/feed/0A Tale of Two Robins — ‘Robin of Sherwood’ to be updated and a look back at ‘Robin Hood’ with…???http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2015/07/24/a-tale-of-two-robins-robin-of-sherwood-to-be-updated-and-a-look-back-at-robin-hood-with-joanna-froggatt/
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Robin of Sherwood The mid-80’s British cult classic, is getting a bit of a new life…sort of. Headed by Jason Connery, who took over for Michael Praed to lead the band of Merry Men after Robin of Loxley was killed at the end of series two, all of Sherwood Forest’s outlaw principles will be back […]

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Robin of Sherwood

The mid-80’s British cult classic, is getting a bit of a new life…sort of. Headed by Jason Connery, who took over for Michael Praed to lead the band of Merry Men after Robin of Loxley was killed at the end of series two, all of Sherwood Forest’s outlaw principles will be back along with Nickolas Grace who will reprise his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

The story, “The Knights of the Apocalypse”, was originally written by the show’s creator Richard “Kip” Carpenter after the end of the series, but never filmed. But now, thanks to Bafflegab Productions, fans can hear the tale when it’s released in early 2016. The original Robin of Sherwood was considered to be one of the truest adaptations based on the legend of Robin Hood and his efforts after Loxley, Robin’s childhood village, was burned.

Robin Hood

In other ‘Robin Hood’ news, I was more a fan of the 2006 Robin Hood series which stared Jonas Armstrong as Robin of Loxley. As Robin returned to England after several years of fighting in the Third Crusade as part of the King’s Guard, he is met with the unpleasant notion that the Sheriff of Nottingham is now ‘running the town’, but is pleased to see that Lady Marian, played by Lucy Griffiths, is still unmarried. If you are a fan of this version, you are well aware of the familiar faces in the cast. If not, you’re in for a treat.

Aside from a couple of Spooks/MI5 alumni, Richard Armitage (Sir Guy of Gisborne) and Lara Pulver, who plays Gisborne’s younger sister, does the name Joanna Froggatt ring a bell? Think Anna Bates. Yes, Joanna Froggatt starred in the third series of the 2006 series, Robin Hood, as Kate, a Loxley villager who is soon to leave the village of Loxley and join up with Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong) and his outlaws in the forest after falling foul of the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Gisborne.

During filming in Hungary in 2008, the future Anna Bates seemed pretty excited about the physicality of her role as Kate. “I get to wear amazing period costumes and I’ve been doing some fighting in the forest. In one scene I had to kick one of the actors in the stomach. It had gone really well in previous goes but in the last one I somehow managed to split his lip and he needed three stitches. I felt so bad I nearly cried but he was really good about it”, said Froggatt.

For my money, the third and final series of the 2006 adaptation of Robin Hood was the best of the three with the production value really stepping up to epic proportions for the times. Story lines were better, action scenes were better and with the talents of Armstrong, Armitage, Pulver, Froggatt and others, how could you go wrong!